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Cover art: Photo of sunflowers planted by neighborhood group along I-630 bike trail.
West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
June 2000
Neighborhood Associations:
Pennbrook/Cloverhill Neighborhood Association
Sante Fe Neighborhood Association
Treasure Hills Neighborhood Association
Steering Committee:
Clorinda Arace
Lucille Bailey
Olene Brown
Jackie S. Fiske
Carol Fuller
Mollie Irvin
Joan Chris Jordin
Lisa Kovach
James Kovach
Arlette Miller
Bernice Ramsey
W. H. Ross
Norma Russell
Ruth Turner
Special Thanks:
John Barrow Church of Christ
City of Little Rock:
Planning and Development:
Public Works:
Brian Minyard
Vince Hustead
Quenton Burge
Robert Fureigh
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 1
RESOLUTION NO. 135
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT
OF THE WEST MARKHAM NEIGHBORHOODS ACTION
PLAN.
WHEREAS, the area residents and Neighborhood Associations
formed a Steering Committee to develop a neighborhood Plan; and
WHEREAS, the residents and other "stakeholders" in the area
participated in a public meetings to discuss and identify area
concerns to include in the plan; and
WHEREAS, After several months of work by the Steering
Committee, a set of goals and objectives were developed and
presented to the neighborhood at a Plan Preview meeting; and
WHEREAS, this Plan (Goals and Objectives) provides a way for
both neighborhood based groups and others working in and around
the neighborhood to advance the desires and meet the needs of
the residents.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Little
Rock does support the vision and goals as expresses in the West
Markham Neighborhoods Action Plan.
ADOPTED:
RESOLUTION NO. 10,918
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN
SUPPORT OF THE WEST MARKHAM NEIGHBORHOODS
ACTION PLAN.
WHEREAS, the area residents and Neighborhood Associations
formed a Steering Committee to develop a neighborhood Plan; and
WHEREAS, the residents and other "stakeholders" in the area
participated in a public meetings to discuss and identify area
concerns to include in the plan; and
WHEREAS, After several months of work by the Steering
Committee, a set of goals and objectives were developed and
presented to the neighborhood at a Plan Preview meeting; and
WHEREAS, this Plan (Goals and Objectives) provides a way for
both neighborhood based groups and others working in and around
the neighborhood to advance the desires and meet the needs of
the residents.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors of the City of Little
Rock does support the vision and goals as expresses in the West
Markham Neighborhoods Action Plan.
ADOPTED: November 8, 2000
ATTEST:
S/ Jim Dailey
crTy cLxkK Nancy Wood MAYOR Jim Dailey
4W
Table of Contents:
Vision Statement
4
Goals and Objectives
5
Infrastructure
5
Traffic
11
Land Use
15
Neighborhood
16
Housing
18
Crime
19
Parks
20
Maps
21
Existing Land Use
21
Existing Zoning
23
Future Land Use
25
Proposed Land Use Plan Changes
27
Zoning Classifications
28
Future Land Use Plan Classifications
32
Telephone Survey
35
Executive Summary
35
Existing Conditions
37
Introduction
37
Socioeconomic Profile
37
Census Tract Map
39
Existing Land Use
40
Existing Zoning
41
Future Land Use
41
Circulation
42
Open Space and Environmental Considerations
42
Summary
42
Infrastructure Unfunded Needs List
43
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 3
VISION STATEMENT
1. A neighborhood, which promotes a standard of living, that anyone living in the State of
Arkansas deserves.
2. Convenience of a shopping area within walking distance that would offer grocery, drug,
clothing, and hardware stores as well as medical services which would be an enhancement
for our senior citizens as well as our younger residents.
3. Expansion of the public transportation system which would curtail some of the traffic and
congestion.
4. Retain our natural areas with their trees and other vegetation to assist in mitigating the
air pollution that is caused by the large volume of traffic in our area.
5. Minimize the impact of change on our neighborhood to maintain our quiet and serene
neighborhood.
Retain our natural areas and
vegetation.
Promote cleaner, more inviting
image of neighborhoods by
insuring walking and other
outdoor activities are safe and
practical. Parks, sidewalks and
other public access areas are
in neglect and in serious need
of improvments/increased
maintenance.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 4
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
INFRASTRUCTURE GOAL
Building a better and safer neighborhood with sidewalks, street lights and an adequate
drainage system.
Implement a sidewalk installation and replacement program.
• Establish a priority list for installing sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• Have Neighborhood Associations lobby the Board or Directors to increase funding of
sidewalk construction in the neighborhood.
• Have Neighborhood Associations lobby the city to not grant variances for
sidewalk requirements of construction for any redevelopment or new construction in the
neighborhood.
• Seek federal enhancement moneys for sidewalk construction along arterials.
Improve the quality of the water lines (drinking & waste).
• Work with Water Utilities to establish a priority list for sewage and water utility projects
in the neighborhood.
Improve water drainage throughout the neighborhood.
• Work with Public Works Department to establish a priority list for drainage and reten-
tion projects in the neighborhood.
• Call Mosquito Control in the Solid Waste Division of Public Works to spray for mosqui-
toes in area surrounding Rock Creek.
Install more streetlights in the neighborhood.
• Establish a priority list for
installing streetlights in the
neighborhood. (see chart)
• Install new streetlights in
areas designated by the
neighborhood and retrofit
older fixtures with more
energy efficient and higher
output fixtures.
Eliminate health and safety issues around drainage culverts.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 5
Prevent flooding in the neighborhood.
• Work with Public Works Department to establish a priority list for drainage projects in
the neighborhood. (see chart)
Provide a mechanism for the improvement of streets, curbs, and gutters in the
area.
• Aggressively seek City funding for maintenance and improvement of the
neighborhood's streets identified by the neighborhood. (see chart)
Provide better maintenance for Rock Creek and Grassy Flat Creek.
• Establish a priority list of cleaning projects for the creek. (see chart)
• Trim shrubs and other unwanted vegetation under and around the bridge where
Markham Street crosses Rock Creek.
• Have Public Works Department clean out debris and weeds out of the creek.
(see chart)
• Work with property owners to maintain creek front property.
• Have Neighborhood Association to organize a clean-up day to pick up litter in open
areas by Markham and Barrow.
Clean up utility easement
located between the 200 and
300 block of Poinsettia Drive
*Have Neighborhood Associa-
tion work with Water Works
and property owners to orga-
nize a clean up day for the
utility easement.
Clean up bike trail running
west from Kanis Park along I-
630.
*Have Neighborhood Associa-
tion work with AHTD to orga-
nize a clean up day for the
bikeway.
Rock Creek behind shopping center. Discourage the use of resi-
dential streets by large trucks.
• Limit the parking of large trucks to loading areas. (Sec. 36-512 Basically prohibits the
parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Motor homes, travel trailers,
and 5th wheels are excluded from this definition.)
Have Police Department enforce prohibitions against large truck traffic on residential
streets.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 6
Sidewalk at West Markham and
Pryor, leading to a bus stop in
front of Burlington Coat Factory.
Some, if not all of the following
sidewalks and cross streets may
not currently meet guidelines set
forth in the Amercian with
Disibilities Act.
West Markham and Pryor
West Markham and Midwood
West Markham and Westbrook
West Markham and Fairbrook
West Markham and Serenity
West Markham and Brookside
West Markham and Burnside
Sidewalk needing maintenance at
Corporate One at 10025 West
Markham.
One of many sidewalk areas
showing lack of care taken when
work is performed under or
around city sidewalks.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 7
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Pedestrians need a sidewalk along
Brookside Drive.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 8
These three photos show a lapse
in street/sidewalk maintenance -
especially in or around public
access areas such as walkways,
hydrants and/or bus stops.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 9
Prompt city action on trash
pickup is needed.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 10
Traffic Goal:
Slow down the continuous flow of traffic on the major arterials during peak traffic times to
allow the public safe passage to and from these streets.
Improve the flow of traffic on Markham and Rodney Parham.
Improve traffic control on Barrow Rd.
• Ask the traffic division of Public Works to install traffic lights in needed locations.
Install a traffic light at the John Barrow and Clover Hill Road intersection.
• Contact Henderson Middle School to encourage the Little Rock School Board to re-
quest a traffic light at this location.
• Investigate the installation of more traffic signals at dangerous intersections and near
schools.
Ask the traffic division of Public Works to install traffic signals or stop signs in
needed locations.
• Contact the elected officials (ward, at -large, and mayor) to ask that the signals be
installed.
• Work with Public Works Department to establish a priority list for installing traffic sig-
nals in the neighborhood (see chart)
• Modify signals on Rodney Parham at Brookside for protected left turns in all directions.
• Modify signals on Reservoir at Rodney Parham for protected left turn onto Rodney
Parham.
Limit truck traffic to arterial streets.
• Work with Traffic Engineer-
ing in the Public Works
Department to place
signage on streets prohib-
ited for truck use.
Make neighborhood streets
more accessible to CATA
and school bus routes.
• Work with Public Works
Department and the School
Board to limit on street
parking that conflicts with
bus routes (Brookridge,
Cloverhill, Deerbrook and
Nebling).
Reduce excessive speeds in
the neighborhood - espe-
Brookside Drive during non -peak hours. Sidewalks are
needed for pedestrian safety, especially for school children.
cially around schools.
• Work with Police Department to enforce speed limits on Markham St., John Barrow Rd.,
and Rodney Parham especially during peak times.
• Work with Public Works Department to install speed bumps.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 11
John Barrow Road near Knoedl
and Henderson School.
Congestion along Barrow Road
during school hours.
More congestion at John Barrow
Road and Cloverhill.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 12
Officers assist in directing traffic
during the school year.
Crossing the street can be
dangerous to students.
Improper loading and unloading
of students adds to the conges-
tion problems.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 13
Traffic on Markham Street during
rush hour. This view is facing
west.
Stoplight at Barrow and 1-630.
This is the model of stoplight that
is desired at Barrow and
Cloverhill.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 14
LAND USE GOAL:
Use existing vacant structures to house new businesses so that the current commercial/
residential ratio in the neighborhood is kept intact.
Limit expansion of new commercial development in the neighborhood.
• Encourage reuse of abandoned "big box" retail buildings.
• Limit existing Commercial land uses to existing acreage in the neighborhood.
Prevent conversion of residential property into non-residential uses.
• Limit expansion of non-residential development to areas shown as non-residential on
the Future Land Use Plan as well as limiting businesses to areas zoned for non-resi-
dential activity.
Preserve the quiet and serene quality of the neighborhood.
• Have Neighborhood Associations send representatives to lobby Planning Commission
and Board of Directors to preserve the intrinsic characteristics of the neighborhood.
Recycle abandoned commer-
cial structures.
• Establish a neighborhood
business association to
retain existing businesses
and encourage new busi-
nesses moving into the area
to locate in existing com-
mercial structures.
• Establish a priority list of
types of businesses (such
as banks and grocery
stores) to encourage to
move into the neighborhood
and locate in existing com-
mercial structures.
Review the appropriateness
of existing zoning classi-
fications relative to neigh-
borhood priorities.
• Determine if existing
zoning classifications compro-
mise the interest to revitalize or
stabilize the housing and
infrastructure and improve the
overall appearance of the West
Markham Neighborhood area.
Some new businesses lower the socio-economic stan-
dards of our neighborhood.
Other businesses are an asset to the neighborhood.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 15
NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT GOAL:
Establish a neighborhood Welcoming Committee to inform new residents of the neighbor-
hood expectations.
Encourage the removal of garbage containers from curbsides on garbage pick up
day.
• Have Neighborhood Associations work with residents to remove trashcans from
curbside after garbage is picked up on trash days.
Enforce stricter property maintenance standards in the neighborhood.
• Work with Code Enforcement and Building Inspections to insure that all residential
structures meet city codes.
Help residents dispose of difficult to remove items: i.e., motor oil, old refrigerators
etc.
• Work with Solid Waste Collection to schedule special pick up days for cleaning neigh-
borhoods. "Spring Cleaning."
Improve neighborhood image through the removal of abandoned vehicles.
• Report abandoned vehicles to the police.
Planting bed maintained by Cloverhill Pennbrook Neighbor-
hood Associations near bike trail.
Improve the image of the
neighborhood through the
reduction of litter.
*Organize clean up days in the
neighborhood.
*Put trash cans at CATA stops.
Improve the neighborhood's
image through better mainte-
nance of homes in the area.
*Have Neighborhood Associa-
tions work with community
organizations to help the
citizens maintain homes.
•Make the owners aware of the
home maintenance programs
available through the City and
the Banks.
*Make homeowners aware of
maintenance programs avail-
able through information provided by Neighborhood Associations and Alert Centers.
Hold property owners accountable for the appearance and condition of their prop-
erty.
Identify repeat offenders.
Establish ordinances that will increase the penalties for non-compliance incrementally,
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 16
so that for each successive violation, the penalty increases.
• The City of Little Rock will take action at once against property owners whose property
does not conform to code.
Improve the neighborhood's image through better property maintenance of
schools.
• Have the neighborhood associations lobby School Board for increased funding devoted
to school maintenance.
Promote greater neighborhood involvement in the planning process.
• Neighborhood Associations should send representatives to Planning Commission and
Board of Adjustment meetings.
Limit retail hours of operation for Late -Hour Retail businesses.
• Encourage convenience stores limit hours of operation to prevent late night loitering.
Encourage enforcement of the City of Little Rock noise ordinance.
• Call Police when city noise ordinance is violated.
• Ord. 17035 includes noise caused by audio equipment and group yelling. The ordi-
nance also specifically
mentioned such noises
made on the public streets.
Bus stops are a constant source of litter and debris for the
neighborhood.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 17
HOUSING GOAL:
Encourage owner occupied homes in the area.
Increase the amount of owner occupied homes in the area.
• Market the area to young families with children.
Low market values encourage investment in rental properties.
Keep property values up.
Increase the amount of owner occupied homes in the area.
• Enforce rental inspections in the neighborhood.
• Encourage home ownership and discourage conversion to rental properties.
Promote the neighborhood as a place that has a good standard of living.
• Market the neighborhood as an area of quality development and stable property values.
"A neighborhood which promotes a standard of living that anyone living in
the State of Arkansas deserves."
Prevent the conversion, legal
or illegal, of single family
homes into apartments.
*Work with Code Enforcement
and Building Inspections to
insure that all residential struc-
tures meet city codes.
Improve the quality of housing
in the neighborhood.
*Encourage demolition of
burned out buildings that are
beyond repair.
One of many well maintained homes in the area.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 18
CRIME GOAL:
Discourage crime in the neighborhood by encouraging neighbors to actively notify authori-
ties of suspicious activity and eliminating such factors as overgrowth of vegetation and
dark streets.
Prevent crime in the neighborhood
• Install more street lighting and retrofit older fixtures with more energy efficient and
higher output fixtures.
• Remove brush that obstructs views of areas where suspicious activities may take place.
• Remove brush that obstructs views of neighborhood crime watch signs.
• Work with Police Department to establish neighborhood crime watch programs.
• Maintain signage for neighborhood crime watch program.
Prevent drug -related
activity in the neighborhood.
• Develop activities/programs
for young children.
• Report drug and gang
related activity to the
schools.
Prevent juvenile loiter-
ing in the neighborhood.
• Encourage church groups
to get more involved in the
neighborhood.
Prevent truancy in the
neighborhood.
• Report truant activity to the
schools.
One of the neighborhood meetings concerning crime preven-
tion and personal safety.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 19
PARKS GOAL:
Encourage Parks and Recreation Department to bring the area parks up to standard so
that they are aesthetically pleasing and safe for the community and then to maintain that
standard.
Encourage the Parks and Recreation Department to improve quality of parks in the
neighborhood.
• Work with Parks and Recreation Department to create a priority list for park mainte-
nance, and lobby the Board of Directors for increased funding of parks.
Have the Parks and Recreation Department build a neighborhood park.
• Work with Parks and Recreation Department to amend the Master Parks Plan and build
a park with swimming pool in the neighborhood.
Provide safe equipment in neighborhood parks.
• Work with Parks and Recreation Department to create a priority list for purchasing park
equipment for Butler Park.
Retain natural areas such as trees and grassy areas.
• Work with Parks and Recreation Department to establish and maintain open spaces in
Bridge over creek in Butler Park.
the neighborhood.
*"Due to the volume of traffic
the quality of the
neighborhood's air is being
destroyed."
*Lobby the Planning Commis-
sion and the Board of Directors
to increase the amount of Park/
Open Space shown on the
Land Use Plan for the neigh-
borhood.
"Due to the volume of traffic
the quality of the
neighborhood's air is being
destroyed."
Wildlife in Butler Park.
The West Markham Neighborhoods Plan
page 20